I needed a cigarette after that last chapter. And, I don't smoke.
Chapter 29
Welcoming a beautiful boy
Two months have pass since the incident at the motel. The Russians appear satisfied that any possible leak of information concerning their own research below the surface died with Pat.
Today is a joyous day as it reflects the peaceful time spent with friends and loved ones, as they celebrate the birth of Theodore Dale Pownall.
"Ben, our new grandson is beautiful." Elaine's words gosh from her lips. "Your father is ecstatic over your choice of a first name."
"We had been through so much." He answers using his fingers to scratch the short hairs of his beard. "He's become a real grandfather to Hope."
"Dale…he was a great Sheriff. Maddie must be so pleased." The new grandmother tightens her facial muscles. A strained smile shows on her expression. 'And when are you shaving? I know these almost beards are in fashion." Elaine brushes the ruffled shoulder of her dress. The flowered teal backless garment clings to her shape. Tied in the rear, the middle-age woman's slender, yet muscular back is prominent.
"Oh, he is a beauty." Helen remarks to Nicole.
"Helen, let me hold this ball of cuteness." She extends her arms and takes the infant from Helen.
Dressed in a three piece blue pinstripe suit, Chief Hawkins leans toward the child and places a kiss on his cheek.
"Jet black hair and ice blue eyes. He'll be quite a lady killer." The SEAL remarks.
"No!" yells Ryn from across the room. "No, he will not kill ladies. Only kill to protect or survive."
"Oh…kay," Chief Hawkins looks at Helen and his superior officer. "Ok, little lady." He turns in the new mother's direction. "That's a good idea."
He is a recent member of this exclusive club. Knowledge that Ryn takes everything literally is new to him.
"Ben, Ben," Chris waves an impatient hand in his direction. His recovery since Donna's remains were returned to the sea has been almost as remarkable as Elaine's.
"What's the hurry, we can talk later." Ben shakes his head.
"Man, Ben…Chris can't stop talking about your mom. I'm about ready to arrest him for visual inappropriate action."
Xander lets out a chest quaking laugh. He continues to chuckle as he paws at the silk tie. Since Nicole has moved in with him, the casually dressed Xander has been retired.
"First, Ben I am speaking about what a great recovery she has had. You know I'm not like that."
Ben raises an eyebrow, and then lets out a suppressed laugh at his nervous friend.
Calvin and Janine enter the living room. Her hair is an array of tight braids reaching to her shoulders. In a flash, the blond young newlywed heads for the growing cluster of women surrounding the baby.
Among another round of beers, Xander isolates his best friend from the other two. It is an easy task, as Chris and Calvin join Ted and Chief Hawkins as they observe Maddie, Nicole, Helen and even the mother and grandmother compete for a moment with the infant. Their arms are extended as it seems Nicole is ready to bolt the room if anyone attempts to clutch the child.
"Xander, you've been wanting to talk to me since you got here." Ben walks outside into the patio.
"Buddy, I'm glad you and Ryn and…" He coughs. "And Maddie are back together."
Ben smiles and speaks.
"It is something. Even Doug is ok with it. I mean, after all we've been through." Ben hears his brother's voice in the living room.
"It's just, buddy everything is going great. I mean me and Nicole. Your mom's health. Everyone is so happy." Xander's expression is not one of elation.
"So, don't we deserve some normal time?" He asks his pensive friend.
"Ben, this is not normal. Listen to me. Something got to give."
Ben turns to greet his brother as Xander grabs his arm.
"I've been a cop for less than six months. A damn cop in some little two-bit family town." He needs to inhale to finish what he wants to say. "I've been on the scene of two murders, countless domestic bullshit."
"That's the job you wanted. That's nothing new." Ben puts his hand on Xander's shoulder. "Xander, we've seen worse since Ryn came to Bristol Cove.."
"Ben," the young biologist is forced to stay. The expression on Xander's face is stern and strained.
"There was always another person involved." Xander continues. "Somebody is screwing somebody else or the one getting screwed wants that person all to themselves."
"Xander don't worry. This is different."
Ben greets his brother. Doug didn't tell his girlfriend about the party for his new nephew. Things might be said that are too hard to explain.
"Hey, Ryn…" Ben puts the bottle of Crosscut Pilsner to his lips. Then smiles at his love.
"Honey, where is Hope…and Cami?"
Since Cami's arrival, the cousins have been secluded in the Pownall's guest room.
"They are like sisters, not cousins." States Ryn.
"My goodness, they can wear each other's clothes now." Answers a beaming Helen, as she has won the right to press little Ted to her chest.
"Who is that?" Elaine asks. The unknown guest is visible behind the glass door. "He's a cutie." She blurts out raising her eyebrows.
"Oh, Mrs. Pownall…" Nicole rushes to the door. She turns as she opens the glass door, he's been assigned here. Security help for me and the Chief.
The Pownall's Guest Room
The two cousins are sitting on the bed, deep in conversation.
"I think this good. You have nice home." Cami visited the family's new house on the outskirts of town, purchased by the Federal Government. "Baby Ted's grandparents take you as own, you lucky."
"Lucky!" Hope hops to her feet. "Every night, that Maddie worms her way into their bed." Hope has blossomed into a beautiful young woman. The decision for her to be home schooled at the nearby Naval Medical facility instead of attending a local public school appears to be the right decision. She has grown from infant to her present state in less than eight months.
"But Hope, she and Ryn and Ben are connected."
"Connected? Daddy Ben is half human. Even though he transform like us. He can stay on land long time." She snaps the Golden Platinum braid into the air as if a whip.
"Ryn is our Queen. We must obey." Cami stands. She brushes out the wrinkles on the cream floral print dress. Her reason to come to dry land coincided with the birth of the baby. Ryn's mental connection to her niece beckoned her. Her Queen had noticed a growing resentment of Maddie from her daughter.
"I don't care what mama wants. She is not Queen here. Daddy Ben does not love Maddie." Her soft clear skin tightens. "I know it." Hope takes a breath. "I hate Maddie."
Ryn calls for the girls to come down for dinner. Cami moves to the door with Hope still carrying the harsh expression.
As the two young women stop at the top of the stairs. Hope's appearance softens at the sight of the well-dressed young man speaking to Nicole and Maddie.
He's beautiful. The young mermaid's thoughts switch from the conversation upstairs.
He is stunning.
She whispers to Cami, "let me welcome that beautiful boy."
Hope then quickens her steps downstairs.
"Maddie, this is Agent Torrello." Nicole introduces her new associate.
"Please, my name is Joe." He extends a hand to Maddie.
"Nice to meet you," she pauses as a grin rises from her lips. "Joe."
Hope stops at the foot of the stairs. Her mind has returned to its former form.
I hate her.
The young woman shows a smile as she is handed little Ted.
Saturating the infant's cheek with soft kisses does not stop her from seeing an immediate connection between the new guest and Maddie.
She wants my daddy…and now she wants him.
Exhaling through her nostrils she continues her analyst.
I hate that bitch.
No one is aware of Hope's sudden disdain. No one except for a pair of widened eyes over a growing grin.
"Elaine, hmm," Ted's nose flexes as he enjoys the aroma of the lasagna. "You have outdone yourself."
"Oh, my little sex toy." Elaine whispers. "You are correct. There is a nice scent in the air." She adds before returning to her observation of Hope.
Writer's note
Thanks to my friends in the US/Canada/Netherlands/Romania/Hungary and now Brazil
Hope you enjoy. All I ask is reviews…in any language.